Congo-Brazzaville’s cabinet has approved a bill that would scrap entry visas for nationals from every African country, moving forward on a promise President Denis Sassou N’Guesso made earlier this year. The target start date is 1 January 2027.
The Council of Ministers signed off on the draft on 14 October. It amends the country’s existing rules on foreigners entering, staying, and leaving, and it puts the president’s 25 May Africa Day announcement into law. The bill was presented by Defence Minister Raymond Zéphirin Mboulou, standing in for the interior minister.
Even if the visas go, African travellers would still need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). The text also includes measures to tighten controls on irregular migration, trafficking, and cross-border crime.
Nothing is final yet. Parliament still has to debate and pass the bill. Details on how the ETA will actually work cost, processing time, validity haven’t been released. Until then, the current visa rules stay in place.
The move is presented as a step toward freer movement across the continent. Note that this applies to the Republic of the Congo (capital Brazzaville), not the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Travellers should keep checking official government channels for updates on the parliamentary vote and when the electronic system goes live.